THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION • BATTLE OF THE BULGE ASSOCIATION, INC. VOLUME XXXVI NUMBER 4 THE ARDENNES CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 2017

One of the highlights of the December event is always the tree decorated with the veterans’ WWII portraits. Pictured is Tom Ingram, 90th InfD, in December 2015.

REMEMBRANCE and COMMEMORATION 73rd ANNIVERSARY of THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE Metro DC Area ★ December 13 - 15, 2017

See pages 10-12 for full details. Register by November 28th! Photo courtesy Barbara Mooneyhan CHAPTER PRESIDENTS ALABAMA INDIANA Gen G.S. Patton, Jr. (11) Central Indiana (47) Vernon Miller, 8th AD Chris Schneider 1409 John Wesley Dr 1795 Cherry St Birmingham, AL 35210-2203 Noblesville, IN 46060 205-951-0265 (317) 362-6015

Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. ARIZONA KANSAS PO Box 27430, Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430 Southern Arizona (53) 703-528-4058 Kansas (69) [President in transition, contact:] Greg Penfield Laura J. Dwyer, Secretary Published quarterly, The Bulge Bugle is the official publication VBOB 3645 E Robbs Rd. PO Box 1914 of the Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. Willcox AZ 85643 Editor: Manhattan, KS 66505 Tracey Diehl 520-481-1568 785-210-9577 BOBA CONTACT INFORMATION BELGIUM MARYLAND Membership Office: 5th Fusiliers of Belgium (38) Maryland/DC (3) Tracey Diehl, Kevin Diehl; 703-528-4058, Marcel D’Haese, th John R. Schaffner, 106 InfD e-mail: [email protected] Belgian 5 Fusiliers 1811 Miller Rd Boulevard du Souverain N 49, Cockeysville Md 21030-1013 Send all correspondence relating to BOBA matters, Box 4 410-584-2754 “The Bulge Bugle,” or the BOBA website to: 1160 – Brussels, BE 00-32-2-673.49.76 Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc.; MASSACHUSETTS PO Box 27430; Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430; 703-528-4058; CALIFORNIA Lamar Soutter/Central (22) e-mail: [email protected] John McAuliffe, 87th ID Golden Gate (10) 425 Pleasant St, #1410 Doris Davis VISIT THE BOBA WEB SITE: www.battleofthebulge.org Worcester, MA 01609 889 Bauer Dr 508-754-7183 San Carlos, CA 94070-3613 650-654-0101 MICHIGAN LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ pages/Battle-of-the-Bulge-Association-Inc Southern California (16) West Michigan (23) Fred Whitaker, 87th ID [President in transition, contact:] 9552 Brynmar Drive Tom Mountz, Treasurer Villa Park, CA 92861 10989 Esch Rd. 714-282-7733 Honor, MI 49640 BOBA, INC. BOARD BATTLE OF THE BULGE 231-326-4830 CONNECTICUT ELECTED OFFICERS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION MISSISSIPPI President: Gary Higgins President: Kent Manser Connecticut Yankee (40) Executive Vice President: Treasurer and Historical Mississippi (33) Richard Egan st Research: John D. Bowen 79 Alcove St. James W. Hunt, 1 ID Barbara Mooneyhan 804 20th Ave N Vice President Membership: Meriden, CT 06451 203-634-0474 Columbus, MS 39701-2332 Angela Fazio PAST PRESIDENTS (VBOB) 662-328-8959 Vice President Chapters: Clyde Boden* 1981-84 COLORADO MISSOURI Sherry Klopp Robert VanHouten* 1984-86 George Chekan* 1986-88; Rocky Mountain (39) Treasurer: Duane R. Bruno th Gateway (25) 2004-05 A. Wayne Field, 6 AD Recording Secretary: 5820 Flintridge Dr, #215 Dave Schroeder Doris Davis William Greenville* 1988-90 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 323 S. Rock Hill Road Darrell Kuhn* 1990-92 719-640-4914 Webster Groves, MO 63119 William Hemphill* 1992-93 314-961-7470 Chairman of the Board: William Tayman 1993-94 FLORIDA Alan Cunningham NEW JERSEY Grover Twiner* 1994-95 Florida Citrus (32) Peter F. Leslie, Jr (54) Stanley Wojtusik* 1995-97; th BOARD MEMBERS Minot N. Richardson, 26 ID Jerry Manning 2006-07 1925 Harden Blvd #67 David Bailey, 106th InfD PO Box 104 George Linthicum* 1997-99 Lakeland, FL 33803-1871 Parsippany NJ 07054-0104 Tom Burgess, 87th InfD John Dunleavy* 1999-01 863-688-7249 973-983-6985 Doug Dillard, 82nd AbnD Louis Cunningham 2001-03 Alfred Shehab, 38th Cavalry Southeast Florida (62) Fort Monmouth (56) Demetri Paris* 2008-10 th Ruth Hamilton George Fisher, 26 ID Larry Lynch J. David Bailey 2010-12 3456 S. Ocean Blvd #503 John Mohor 37 Princeton St. Douglas Dillard* 2012-14 Palm Beach, FL 33480 Red Bank, NJ 07701 Alan Cunningham 2014-16 561-585-7086 732-842-5923 * Deceased SEND Chapter UPDATES: [email protected]

THE BULGE BUGLE 2 November 2017 Fort Dix/McGuire (60) OHIO Reading (64) VIRGINIA Donald “Coach” Brien George Moore, 1252nd ECB 2 Chatham Ct Blanchard Valley (42) 207 Shockley Dr Crater (43) Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4005 Leonard Skonecki Birdsboro, PA 19508 Mary Ann Coates Smith (609) 754-3744 324 N. Countyline St. 610-582-8690 PO Box 520 Fostoria, OH 44830 Mechanicsville, VA 23111-0520 NEW YORK 419-435-3588 SOUTH CAROLINA 804-363-3400 Mohawk Valley (28) Ohio Buckeye (29) South Carolina (7) WASHINGTON Julian Scatko John Kalagidis, 552nd FA Bn Rick Hurst Northwest (6) 356 Higby Rd 2545 58th St NE 117 Stonegate Drive New Hartford, NY 13413 Canton, OH 44721-3451 Columbia, SC 29223 Jim Pennock 803-788-7521 315-733-4752 330-492-2214 18313 Olympic View Dr Edmonds, WA 98020 Hudson Valley (49) VERMONT- 425-774-8420 Alton Litsenberger (68) NEW HAMPSHIRE-MAINE Matthew J. Swedick Tom Tomastik 26 Echo Lane 10811 Keller Pines Court Tri-State (17) Altamont, NY 12009 Galena, OH 43021 Edward Deverell 518-765-0300 614-562-6928 12 Stevens Dr Hookset, NH 03106-1683 Staten Island (52) PENNSYLVANIA 603-485-7464 William Abell 297 Clarke Ave Delaware Valley (4) Staten Island, NY 10306 Gary Lambert 718-351-9426 123 Garfield Ave NOTICE: DUES NOW $20 Collingswood, NJ 08108-1307 Duncan T. Trueman (59) 856-304-3106 At our General Membership Meeting at the Annual Reunion in San Elliot Hermon, Antonio, our members voted to increase our annual dues from $15 th Southcentral Pennsylvania (45) 87 Chem Mortar Bn per year to $20 per year, effective as of this publication date. We 3 Putters Way Dan Medbury Middletown, NY 10990 22 East James Street are no longer offering Lifetime Memberships or 4-yr discounted 845-344-6181 Lancaster, PA 17602 memberships. (Those already purchased will be honored.) (717) 392-6334 BOBA is now operating at a deficit, and we need your support Long Island (63) to keep us going! Sign up your family and friends! See membership th Lehigh Valley (55) William Mueller, 106 ID application on the back cover. 27 Eve Ln John Kuhn Levittown, NY 11756-5511 2407 Woodbridge Terrace Memberships make great gifts! One year for just $20! 516-731-2488 Easton, PA 18045 610-438-0043

Check the back cover address label IN THIS ISSUE for your membership dues renewal date to keep dues current. 2. Contacts, Board, Chapters 14. Chapter News 4. President’s Message 16. Nineteen Forty Five 2018 BOBA Board 17. Francis Chesko Honored 5. Letters to BOBA 18. Donations 6. 735th Tank Battalion History of Veterans Day Your member number* Your How to submit to the “Bugle” 19. James Binder, 661st Tank renewal date 7. R.I.P. Doug Dillard Destroyer Battalion In Memoriam VBOB Book of Your Stories R00000 10/10/2015 SAMPLE Q. MEMBER 8. 2017 Annual Reunion Recap A Forgotten Password 1000 STREET ROAD Reunion Donors and a Frozen Arm ANYTOWN, US 10000-1000 9. New Members 21. VBOB Certificate *PLEASE NOTE: If your member 10. December Event 22. Souvenir Hunting Can Be number starts with the letter “L,” you are a LIFE MEMBER, and therefore 13. The Cobra King at the National Unhealthy For One’s Body! do not owe any more dues, ever! Museum of the US Army 23. QM Merchandise RENEWAL CARDS WILL NOT BE SENT Tours

THE BULGE BUGLE 3 November 2017 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Gary Higgins

TO ALL OF OUR BOBA mem- I was able to do a Battle of the Bulge presentation at a Navy bers, I wish to say it’s been a busy reunion at our hotel., which resulted in BOBA getting some new summer and beautiful fall color members! So we are gaining new members, which we all need to season. work on. Our reunion in San Antonio Tex- The final evening’s banquet with full military color guard and as has been completed, with lots of music was an elegant final touch. Barbara Mooneyhan, your Exec activity and great times for those able VP, is to be given credit for all she did to bring this together. So be to attend, sharing some quality time sure to thank her and others who assisted her. and history. If you have time and did Our banquet speaker Sichan Siv, a Cambodian boat refugee, attend, please write in to the Bugle gave a very inspirational talk. He had our full attention, and his and share some new stories, which endurance and survival story was indeed motivational. He became we all enjoy so much. an ambassador to the US under President George W. Bush. He has The membership business meeting was conducted by your Presi- written a couple of books, which you can look up, find and read. dent with two plus hours of discussion, elections and bylaw amend- Sadly, we are continuing to lose many of our veterans. Please see ments. Doris Davis and her nominating committee, and Alan Cun- the Bugle “In Memoriam” pages. We continue to send condolences ningham with detailed reports of our transition to BOBA, were very for those we know of, and share their names and units in the Bugle. thorough. Tracey Diehl presented her reports, as did others in regard Our next BOBA gathering will be in December, with Doris Da- to finances and membership. Teamwork and delegating makes each vis and her team bringing together planned events that we can all position operate easier. [See below for elected board for 2018.] be part of. I know of one couple who are new to BOBA and have The hotel was great, and lots of tours and sightseeing were en- already made their reservations to attend. [See p. 10-12 for more joyed by all. If you read the recent Bugles, you know about these information and registration forms.] events and what we did. Having Dick Cole as a surprise guest one Keep your families’ Battle of the Bulge stories alive by send- day was quite exceptional. Mr. Cole was the Co-Pilot to Jimmy ing them to the Bugle. Our research resources are limited and we Doolittle, who bombed Tokyo in April 1942. Dick only wanted to need all the stories we can get directly from you, our members. hear about our BOBA members’ war stories! It was a joyous time And whenever possible, try to recruit new members. I was able to for all. The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, National Museum of give a BOBA talk before almost 1,000 in New Orleans at the Viet- the Pacific War and more made the trip so wonderful. nam Veterans National Convention, which resulted in some new Yes, the Alamo was another of our day tours, along with Fort Sam memberships. Houston and a variety of fun dining out experiences. The hospitality Our prayers continue for those affected by the devastation of the room provided quality time, with mingling of members and special fall hurricanes, and now the mass shooting in Las Vegas. May we guests who stopped in. [See pages 8-9 for more details and photos.] have safer and happier days ahead.

BOBA BOARD FOR 2018 The 2018 slate of nominated candidates, as published in the August position and is not part of the voting. The membership approved 2017 issue of The Bulge Bugle, was voted upon during the General amendments to the bylaws to designate that position as “Chairman Membership Meeting at the BOBA 2017 reunion in San Antonio, of the Board,” and also to add “and CEO” to the President’s title. No Texas. The Immediate Past President is a Bylaws-required board additional nominations were made from the floor.

OFFICERS Vice President Chapters: BOARD MEMBERS Immediate Past President President and CEO: Sherry Klopp David Bailey, 106th Inf Div and Chairman of the Board: Gary Higgins Treasurer: Duane R. Bruno Tana Van Nice Black Alan Cunningham Executive Vice President: Recording Secretary: Tom Burgess, 87th Inf Div Barbara Mooneyhan Tracey Diehl Doris Davis Vice President Membership: John Mohor Angelo Fazio Greg Penfield

THE BULGE BUGLE 4 November 2017 LETTERS TO BOBA

Maddox, 28th Infantry Division, 110th Infantry Regiment, HDQ Com- NEW BOOK PUBLISHED ON pany (formerly “E” Company), was in charge of 1 (or more) 57mm gun 109TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL crews on Dec. 17th, 1944. It was his lone gun crew that was set up di- I’d like your members to know about a rectly across the Our River from the Claravallis Hotel in Clervaux, Lux- my new book: “A Tribute to the 109th embourg where Col. Fuller’s headquarters was located. They were trying Evacuation Hospital (SM),” by Dr. to hold off the Second Panzers trying to come down the small winding James Van Keuren, published by JVK- north road into Clervaux while Fuller and other officers were destroying BOOKS LLC. This untold story of the records in preparation to evacuate the building and the area. 109th Evacuation Hospital (SM) pro- What then happened is described in Robert F. Phillips’ book, To Save vides the reader with a piece of history Bastogne. A Nazi grenadier came over the ridge and was about to fire about evacuation hospital semi-mobile on his men. Uncle Kenny stepped in front of them and received a blast units during World War II. The cohesion across the chest from a German burp gun. He fell and his men were able and respect for one another was evident to get away before a Panzer blasted their gun position to bits. They hid in the 109th Evacuation Hospital (SM) and circled back around to try to find Uncle Kenny’s body. They found unit, which held numerous reunions after his Jeep but “all of his personal effects were gone” - and no body. At that the war that my father-in-law (Sergeant point, their situation was so dangerous they had to go. Three of his men, Allan Dean Bair from Lorain, Ohio) Robert Weisenseel, Charles Shumaker, and Joseph Russinbro, visited made every effort to attend, like the rest of the unit members. my grandparents after the war. That’s how we know what little details My father-in-law’s journey and the veteran’s interviews paints a we do know. The strangest part of the story comes next. picture of teamwork close to the front lines. Here, the danger was so My family did not know until sometime in early 1945 that Uncle palpable and close to our young soldiers, as conveyed by one nurse: “The boys were only 18 and 19 years old and of course, none of them Kenny had died on Christmas Day 1944 of his wounds in a German wanted to die, you know, and they knew that they were dying. They field hospital. They thought he was a POW being held somewhere in knew what kind of shape they were in, and it was pretty rough watch- ing them.” We see the experiences of a unit member witnessing Nazi collaborators being clubbed to death in a small town in Czechoslova- kia, and another unit member’s chance encounter with General Patton and General Eisenhower. This photo journal book contains over 100 photos and data points that highlight the experiences of the men and women of the 109th Evacuation Hospital (SM), who put their lives on the line each day to preserve our democratic ideals and values that we cherish today. Dr. James Van Keuren The book is available on Amazon.com, by searching the book title or author’s name.

ANYONE HAVE INFO ON The telegram supposedly sent by Kenneth Maddox while he was in a KENNETH G. MADDOX, 28TH INFD? German field hospital. Germany and the whole family searched the weekly news reels for his All of this started almost three years face in the pictures of POWs. What we think now is that he was most ago when one of my nephews asked me likely in the Clervaux Sanitarium, on the ridge above Clervaux, which about my Uncle Kenny, my Dad’s only was being used as a field hospital, first by American forces and then by brother, who died as a result of wounds received during The Battle before the Nazis after they took the area. the Battle. He had fought in France, When I started all of this research, I went through and read all of my Aachen, Hurtgen Forrest and was in Uncle’s letters home and the very last item was a Dec. 20th, 1944 West- the famous Aug. 29th, 1944 parade in ern Union telegram to my grandparents. It expressed “loving wishes for Paris. I wanted both of my nephews Christmas and the New Year.” And it was signed “Keep Smiling. Ken- to know about their Great Uncle, who neth Maddox” It didn’t hit me at first… then I realized that on Dec. 20th, was an amazing young man in so many my Uncle was in the German field hospital, most likely in very serious ways and ultimately, a war hero. So, I condition and probably unconscious. Having just read all of his letters, started putting together information to the wording sounded just like my Uncle, especially the “Keep Smiling.” 1st LT. Kenneth G. Maddox, give to them. Only, he didn’t sign letters Kenneth or Kenneth Maddox. He signed his 28th InfD, 110th Reg, HDQ Co. Uncle Kenny, 1st LT. Kenneth G. (continued on next page)

THE BULGE BUGLE 5 November 2017 LETTERS TO BOBA

(continued from page 5 page) letters and cards with just Ken or Kenny. Who reported my Uncle as captured and in a field hospital and who reported his death specifically on Christmas Day in a German “Laza- rette” (an infectious disease hospital which the Clervaux Sanitarium was)? I just can’t imagine the Nazis stopping to take such a seriously wounded American soldier for aid? And the biggest mystery of all: Who sent the Dec. 20th telegram? I can’t really see the Nazis doing that ei- ther? Were other American soldiers with him at the Lazarette? Were Red Cross workers present? Were civilians from the village where he was Noll C. DeLaughder (center) 735th Tank Battalion, Company A, wearing billeted working in the Lazarette and recognized him? And on Dec. 20th, company “composite flower patch,” August 13, 1945 in Paris. when the 110th had reached a place where the headquarters could be re-established, the first Daily Report since Dec. 17th listed my Uncle as Missing in Action so all of this information came from a source other 735TH TANK BATTALION than the U.S. Army. I would very much appreciate any information, copies of photos or Member Michael L DeLaughder sent us this brief history of the 735th records or reports, memories, suggestions of additional places to search, Tank Battalion, his father Noll C. DeLaughder’s unit, from Wikipedia. anything that might help clarify or enlighten or possibly even bring some “The 735th Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion that par- closure to a long-standing family mystery. ticipated in the European Theater of Operations with the United States If you have any information, please contact me, by email at: Army in World War II. The battalion entered combat in Normandy in [email protected]; or by phone: 901-681-2151 July 1944 with the 5th Infantry Division and fought across France with —Submitted by Ayn Maddox, Member, Niece of Kenneth Maddox the 95th Infantry Division. When reattached to the 5th Infantry Divi- sion, the 735th Tank Battalion played a key role in the reduction of *According to the wishes of his family, 1st LT. Kenneth G. Maddox’s the fortifications of Metz. The battalion was also attached to the 26th body returned home to Louisville, KY, USA in 1948 and was laid to rest Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge, and fought the last in the family plot in the Evergreen Cemetery. several months of the war as an attachment to the 87th Infantry Divi- sion. It was inactivated in October 1945.” Michael also notes that the 745th Tank Battalion, Company A, 1st OOPS! WE GOOFED Platoon received both the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre awards. In the February 2017 issue, on page 8, we ran an article by Irving Lock- er, 116 AAA Gun Battalion, B Battery, 4th Division entitled “The Dust Gave Us Away!” We illustrated the article with a generic tank photo he had sent us, and overlooked these personal, and much better, photos How to submit stories for he subsequently sent. Here’s Mr. Locker on the left as a young soldier, “The Bulge Bugle” and on the right a photo he labeled “This is the shell we fired. 3’ tall, 45 Please continue to send us your Battle of the Bulge stories. All mem- lbs.” A belated thanks to Mr. Locker for sending these photos. bers are reminded to submit stories about veterans you know who —The Editor fought in the battle. Guidelines for submitting stories and photos are: Stories and letters: Please send typewritten (not handwritten) text whenever possible. We reserve the right to edit for length or clarity. Clippings/articles from recent newspapers or other periodicals must contain the name & date of publication, so we can obtain reprint per- mission. Original stories will be given preference over reprinted arti- cles. NOTE: We cannot reprint from books or pamphlets, unless you are the author. Photographs: Please identify the place and/or people in the photo- graph. Photos copied on a copy machine are not suitable for publica- tion. Scan photographs at high-resolution (300 dpi.) Please include your e-mail address or telephone number, in case we have to contact you. Send material to: (Preferred method) by email: [email protected], or by mail: Battle of the Bulge Associa- tion, Inc; PO Box 27430; Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430 FEBRUARY ISSUE DEADLINE: January 5, 2018 QUESTIONS? Please contact Tracey Diehl, 703-528-4058, or by email: [email protected]

THE BULGE BUGLE 6 November 2017 R.I.P. DOUGLAS DILLARD, VBOB PRESIDENT 2012-2014

Douglas Clark Dil- lard, “Doug,” a res- ident of Bowie, MD for 42 years died on Saturday, September 9, 2017 in Annapolis, MD due to pancreatic cancer. Born on Sep- tember 14, 1925 in Atlanta, GA, Doug earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Military Science from the Universi- ty of Maryland, a Master’s Degree in Interna- tional Relations from Boston University, and attended Catholic University, working toward his Doctorate. Doug Dillard as a young soldier (far left), at Sergeant Dillard was in the Battle of the Ohrdruf with his wife Ute Dillard (center), and Bulge attached to the 30th Infantry Division in a memorial to Doug which Ute has placed in support of their defense around Francorchamps her garden at their home in Germany (right). and Stavelot. Later they shifted to the 82nd Air- borne, supporting the 508th Parachute Infantry became Chief of U.S. Army Military Intelli- member of the 82nd Airborne Association and Regiment with reconnaissance behind enemy gence and is in their Hall of Fame. Doug retired the 508, the 504 and the 551 Parachute Infantry lines. Experiencing heavy losses into 1945, the as a colonel in 1977. Associations. 551st eventually folded into the 508th. Doug He served as president of the Veterans of Doug is survived by his wife, Ute Dillard, earned the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Battle of the Bulge from 2012-2014, later BOBA Member, and his four daughters, grand- the Distinguished Flying Cross. served on the Board of the Battle of the Bulge children and great-grandchildren. He was pre- He had a long career in military intelligence, Association, and was a member of the Greatest ceded in death by his previous wife of 63 years, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He eventually Generation Foundation. He was also an active Virginia H. Dillard. MEMBERS IN MEMORIAM

Please notify us when you hear that any member of our organiza- Please send notices by mail: BOBA, Inc., PO Box 27430, tion has recently passed away, so that we may honor them in a fu- Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430; or by phone: 703-528-4058; or by ture Bulge Bugle. Also, kindly notify us of any errors or omissions. email: [email protected]. We have been notified, as of Sept 30, 2017, that these BOBA Inc. members have also recently passed away: ARNOLD, ROBERT E. 9 INFD 47 REG 2 BN E CO LEVIN, M. J. 7 ARMDD 489 ARMD FABN BOETGER, FRED H, 80 INFD 317 REG CO B LUSBY, JAMES V. 84 INFD 335 REG 2 BN CO E BOST, JR., CHARLES M. 75 INFD 730 FABN B BTRY MASSEY, JOSEPH A. 106 INFD 422 REG CO C CARVER, JACK K. 26 INFD 328 REG 2 BN HQ CO MCGEE, GEORGE W. 109 EVAC HOSP CHESNICK, FRANCIS 99 INFD 395 IREG 1 BN CO A PENDLETON, JAMES C. 30 INFD 119 REG 3 BN HQ CO DAVIS, F. KEITH 9 ARMDD 16 FAOBN CO A PENNINGTON, ROBERT E. 26 INFD 328 REG 2 BN CO E DILLARD, DOUGLAS C. 82 ABND 508 PIR CO A REED, CLEMENT Z. 94 INFD 465 AAA AW BN EDWARDS, JAMES T. 42 INFD 232 REG CO F RIEDLINGER, JR., LOUIS C. 50 SIG BN HQ CO GEORGE, JR., S. W. 176 FA BN ROWE, JOHN M. 87 INFD 346 REG CO I HOWENSTEIN, PETER K. 80 INFD 319 REG 3 BN CO M SAKOWSKI, FRANK S. 82 ABND 508 PIR HQ CO KAPLAN, ISAAC 253 ENGR CMBT BN THOMSON, HERBERT S. 87 INFD 346 REG 2 BN CO G KENNEDY, GEORGE F. 30 INFD HQ CO VANLANDINGHAM, DEAN M. 26 INFD MP PLATOON KIRBY, HARRY E. 26 INFD 104 REG 3 BN CO I WALKER, JR., WILLIAM T 8 INFD 644 TD BN CO B KLINGENSMITH, ALLEN 75 INFD 289 REG C CO WATSON, JOHN C. 84 INFD 335 REG 2 BN CO F KRAFT, CHARLES A. 789 AAA AW BN WENC, CHESTER C. 106 INFD 424 REG CO B KREBS, LESTER 884 FABN BTRY B WOOLDRIDGE, FRANK 90 INFD 315 MED BN

THE BULGE BUGLE 7 November 2017 We were honored to have special guest and keynote speaker Ambassador Sichan Siv (center, back row) at our annual banquet, alongside 12 of our WWII veterans, shown here with BOBA President and CEO Gary Higgins (back row, far right).

2017 ANNUAL REUNION RECAP by Barbara Mooneyhan, BOBA Executive Vice President and 2017 Reunion Planner

The 36th Annual Reunion in San Antonio, Texas was held from Sep- 76, the oldest VFW Post in Texas, where we enjoyed Rudy’s BBQ and tember 23 – 28, 2017 and was a resounding success! Fourteen veter- the band Blackjack. Many of the veterans enjoyed dancing, but the ans attended with their family and friends, with about 70 total attendees “Dancing with the Stars” mirror ball unanimously goes to David Bailey registered. Events began with a Wine and Cheese reception in the Lone for his fabulous dance moves! Star Room, which quickly became our Hospitality Suite for the reunion The rainy skies on Wednesday morning did not damper the enthusi- duration. Sunday started with a Riverwalk barge tour—because no trip to asm of our crowd to lay a wreath at the Battle of the Bulge Monument San Antonio would be complete without it! at Veterans Memorial Park. Two TV stations After a trip to the Buckhorn Saloon and Mu- covered the event and interviewed seven of seum, we ended our night celebrating Tom REUNION DONORS our veterans. We continued on a whirlwind Ingram’s birthday at Mi Tierra Mexican Café We can’t thank enough the 2 very generous donors tour of San Antonio, stopping at the Mission and Bakery. What a festive celebration! who made it possible for all WWII veterans to San Jose (where the veterans were greeted Monday’s trip to the National Museum attend our reunion events for free: with the Bell Tower playing patriot music), of the Pacific War and Nimitz Museum held Dr. Ed Moore Member the Cathedral and, of course, ending at the a special treat for our visitors. Everett Davis SC Military History Club Donor Alamo. and Barbara Moneyman had arranged for In the afternoon, we conducted our an- Richard E. Cole (102 yrs old), the last sur- The following members and supporters also made nual general membership meeting, where financial donations to the Reunion: viving Doolittle Raider, to join us for some we voted on important issues such as the Bailey, James 106 INFD 422 INF 3 BN CO F pictures and conversation. As he was walk- Black, Tana Member amended BOBA bylaws, plus the BOBA ing in, Dick said to Barbara, “I’m ready to Burgess, Thomas 87 INFD 345 REG 1 BN CO A Board Elected Officers and Board Member hear some real war stories!” We were de- Eiserloh, Harold 44 INFD 71 INF 2 BN CO G positions for 2018. On Wednesday eve- lighted that Ambassador Sichan Siv joined Faller, Michael Guest ning, our members and guests attended the us for the day. Gordon, Fred 9 ARMDD 3 ARMD FABN CO C formal banquet, where Ambassador Sichan Tuesday was reserved for the visit to Ft. McHale, Robert Guest Siv gave the heartfelt keynote address. The Sam Houston, where the group visited the Morfee, Alfred C 1 INFD 16 REG 3 BN CO L group adjourned after some more social- museum and enjoyed lunch with the troops. Rucker, Gloria Member izing, pledging to meet again next year in This time, it was Tom Burgess’s birthday! Stitzinger, Jack 87 INFD 346 REG 2 BN CO H Colorado Springs, CO for our 2018 Annual

That evening, we were guests of VFW Post Reunion. Diehl Tracey Photos courtesy: Judy McKee, Rick Hurst, SGM Dean Welch,

THE BULGE BUGLE 8 November 2017 Left-right, from top: Wreathlaying ceremony; Bulge items on display in the hospitality room; Richard E. Cole of the Doolittle Raiders; the whole group at Ft. Sam Houston; the hospitality room set up for social- izing; our veterans enjoyed lunch with the troops at Ft. Sam Houston.

NEW MEMBERS Welcome to those who joined between June 25-September 30, 2017:

George Bjorling 9 InfD Judy K Park-McKee Member Michael Courtney Member Michael Patton Member Christopher Edmonds Member Sara Rohar Member Pierre Franck Member Dennis Schueller Member Luke Gasparre 87 InfD Nancy Schueller Member Robert Jolliff Member Henry Stone Member Robert Kauffman II Member Lawrence P. Titzler 78 InfD Steve Kendall Member David Vicknair Member Ayn Maddox Member Michael Wallace Member Beth C. Maxey Member Patricia Wright Member We certainly are pleased to have you with us and look forward to your participation in helping to perpetuate the legacy of all who served in that epic battle. You can help immediately by: • Talking to people about BOBA and suggesting that they also join • Promoting our website: www.battleofthebulge.org • Sending us articles to be included in The Bulge Bugle • Plan to attend our December Event (See p. 10 -12 for details.)

9 November 2017 REVISED! Earlier THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE ASSOCIATION, INC. registration Invites You to Join Your Friends for the deadline: “EVENTS OF REMEMBRANCE AND COMMEMORATION” Nov 28, 2017 OF THE 73rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE December 13, 14, and 15, 2017 Metropolitan Washington, DC

We have been invited to a co-hosted reception by the Belgium Ambassador Dirk Wouters and Luxembourg Ambassador, Ms. Sylvie Lucas, at the Luxembourg Embassy, on Wednesday, December 13, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. See below for the schedule. December 16 is Saturday and this happens to be the same day as the Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day. Since this event started in 1992, it has never occurred on December 16. Because no vehicles will be permitted in Arlington National Cemetery on December 16, we will be holding our wreath laying ceremonies on Friday, December 15. The DoubleTree Hotel Crystal City by Hilton, 300 Army-Navy Drive, in Arlington VA 22202 has been selected again for this event. We have been able to secure a rate of $119/night for Wed/Thurs/Fri. The rates for Mon/Tues are $139/night and for Sat/Sun are $99/ night. Parking is $12 a night for Monday through Sunday (It is usually $30/night). Please make your reservations early to secure a room. Please mention the Battle of the Bulge to obtain the special rate. If you need a handicap accessible room, please request this early. To make a Reservation: call 800-Hiltons (800-445-8667) or 703-416-4100 by December 1, 2017. Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Any guest checking in after 12 noon will be able to do so for no additional charge, based on the availability of rooms. This year, we will offer a tour of the Pentagon (https://pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours/). This is the headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon and is one of the world’s largest office buildings. Built in just 16 months, the Pentagon is the world’s largest low-rise office building. It is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, has more than twice the floor space of the Empire State Building, and the U.S. Capitol could fit into any one of its five wedge-shaped sections. The tour will accommodate wheelchairs and powered scooters. (See “Pentagon Tour Important Information” for more on page 12.) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 2:00 - 5:30 PM Registration & Hospitality Room open - Lincoln Hall Ballroom - Pick up Registration Packets with name badges, Banquet/bus tickets. Sign Attendance Books 2:00 - 11:00 PM Hospitality Room/Exhibits, Books, scrapbooks, memorabilia, snacks & beverages open every day 3:30 - 4:30 PM Our traditional Tree Trimming “Salute to Bulge Veterans.” If you are a Bulge Veteran and haven’t submitted a picture of yourself to add to the Christmas tree, please contact Doris Davis (see below for contact info.) 5:30 PM Depart for the Luxembourg Embassy Reception from 6:30-8:30 PM. Return to hotel around 9:30 PM. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 8:45 AM Depart for a tour of the Pentagon 11:30 - 11:45 AM Bus pick-up from the Pentagon and travels to Pentagon City (Fashion Centre) 12:00 N Arrive at Fashion Centre to have lunch (on your own). Many options of restaurants and places to shop. 2:30 PM Depart for DoubleTree Hotel to rest or visit in the Hospitality Room (Should you wish to stay at Fashion Centre longer, the hotel shuttle will do a ‘pick-up’ at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM). 6:00 PM Hospitality room closes at 6:00 PM for Banquet 6:00 – 10:00 PM BANQUET AT THE DOUBLETREE HILTON HOTEL, COMMONWEALTH ROOM, (Lower Lobby, South Tower). A limited number of parking passes are available for banquet only attendees. 10:00 PM Hospitality Room re-opens after the banquet FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 8:45 AM-12:30 PM Bus departs promptly at 9:00 AM for wreath layings at World War II Memorial, VBOB Memorial, and Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery 12:30 PM Return to DoubleTree Hotel for annual BOBA Luncheon in the Capital View Room of Washington 1:00 PM Lunch 14th Floor North Tower of hot soup and sandwich, beverage and dessert. Please indicate on Registration form if you have any dietary restrictions of if you prefer vegetarian. We will have the Swearing-in of the new National Battle of the Bulge Association officers for 2018. 2:00 - 6:00 PM Hospitality Room open

Depart or stay an extra day and take part in the Wreaths Across America Day and lay wreaths on all gravesites at Arlington Cemetery. Contact Doris Davis for details. Email address: [email protected]; Phone: (650) 654-0101

Notes: ¤ Free Airport shuttle provided by the DoubleTree Hotel every half hour, 3 miles from Reagan Washington National Airport. ¤ Free shuttle from the Hotel every hour on the half hour to the METRO: Pentagon City (Blue/Yellow Line) and to Pentagon City Mall. ¤ Early departure: If your reservation plans change, please advise hotel at or before check-in of any change in your reserved planned length of stay to avoid an early departure fee (currently $75.00) for checking out before your agreed upon reserved length. Any special circumstances of Early Departure Waivers will be on a case-by-case basis and depending on the severity of the situation.

THE BULGE BUGLE 10 November 2017 REVISED! Earlier RESERVATION FORM registration “REMEMBRANCE AND COMMEMORATION” deadline: Nov 28, 2017 OF THE 73rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE December 13, 14, and 15, 2017 Metropolitan Washington, DC Return form and check by NOVEMBER 28, 2017 to: Questions: Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. Doris Davis, Chairperson or Tracey Diehl PO Box 27430 [email protected] [email protected] Philadelphia PA 19118-0430 703-528-4058

Name: ______Telephone: ______Cell:______

Name of Spouse/Guests: ______;______;______;______

Address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP: ______

Battle of Bulge Unit you (or family member) served with: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

Vets: do you have a WWII picture to send us? (If you haven’t sent it before?)

RESERVATIONS: Number Attending Cost/Person Total

Registration Fee: Provides for Badges, Programs, Hospitality, Toasts, etc ______X $40.00 $______

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 3:30 PM Tree Trimming Lincoln Hall, North Tower ______X FREE

5:30 PM Bus to Luxembourg Embassy Reception ______X $25.00 $______

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017: 8:45 AM Bus to Pentagon* and Fashion Centre ______X $30.00 $______

Commemorative Banquet: DoubleTree Hotel Commonwealth Room ______X $60.00 $______6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Please make your Main Course selection(s): ¤ Salmon (Names)______¤ Chicken Piccata (Names)______¤ Diabetic Meal (Names)______Seating is open except for Head Tables. Plan ahead with your friends to be seated at the same table. Tables are Rounds of 8.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017: 9:00 AM Departure - Bus for Wreath Laying ceremonies: WWII Memorial, ______X $25.00 $______VBOB Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknowns 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Wreath Laying Ceremonies 1:00 PM BOBA Luncheon at DoubleTree Hotel ______X $30.00 $______(Lunch will include soup and a choice of Turkey or Chicken Sandwiches and desert. If a diabetic or vegetarian meal is preferred, please indicate.) ❐ Diabetic (Name)______❐ Vegetarian (Name)______(Enclose check made out to Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc.) GRAND TOTAL $______NOTE: You can register online at: battleofthebulge.org, click on “December Bulge Commemoration DC.” Permission granted for Hotel to notify Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. that room reservation has been made. Signature: ______

NOTES & REMINDERS: Banquet Dress: Business suit/black tie optional (miniature medals encouraged) or military dress uniform Room reservations must be made for the DoubleTree Crystal City directly, by December 1, 2017 Telephone 800-Hiltons (800-445-8667). Return completed Reservation Form for events to Battle of the Bulge Association no later than November 28 2017. No cancellation refunds after November 28, 2017. Hotel Reservations based on availability. Please do not delay. Please indicate the number (& names if asked) attending so that we can be advised of the proper number to plan. Thanks! Please Bring a Picture Id (Drivers License, Passport, or Mil ID *See next page for specific Pentagon Tour ID requirements.

THE BULGE BUGLE 11 November 2017 PENTAGON TOUR IMPORTANT INFORMATION At least one form of proper identification, which must be current Washington, unless the driver’s license contains “ENHANCED and contains a photograph, is required for visitors age 18 and older DRIVER’S LICENSE.” to enter the Pentagon. A valid form of identification that must be NOTE: Visitors 17 years of age and under require no identification presented at the tour includes: when accompanied by an adult with a DoD Building Pass or one of U.S. Passport the above forms of identification. U.S. Passport Card TOUR LENGTH & DIFFICULTY Driver’s license or identification card issued by a State or The Pentagon Tour is approximately 60 minutes in duration with a outlying possession of the United States, provided it contains walking distance of about one and a half miles through the Pentagon a photograph and meets the REAL ID standards, has an corridors and staircases. Visitors taking part in a Pentagon tour should extension or contains the notation “ENHANCED DRIVER’S wear comfortable clothing and shoes. For any additional information, LICENSE” please call (703) 697-1776. Identification card issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies, provided it contains a photograph VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES Ramp access is available for the physically challenged. Tour visitors U.S. Government PIV Card (CAC for DoD Personnel) in wheelchairs must be accompanied by someone who will assist DoD Affiliated Identification Cards (Retirees, Dependents, and them. A signer will be added to tours to assist hearing impaired Inactive Reservists) visitors provided that two weeks’ notice is given. Special tours for Native American Tribal Document visually impaired visitors can also be arranged with two weeks’ notice. U.S. Border Crossing Card Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card RECORDING DEVICES (INS Form I-551 or I-551) No photographs may be taken. No video cameras, tape recorders, or Foreign passport with a temporary (I-551) stamp or temporary any other kind of electronic recording device is permitted at any time. (I-551) printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa SECURITY BRIEFING Foreign passport A security briefing is provided prior to the beginning of every tour, The following driver’s license are NOT ACCEPTABLE and all visitors must pass through a security scanning device similar forms of ID: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and to those found at airport security checkpoints.

PENTAGON TOUR ADVANCE INFO REQUIRED: If you’d like to go on the Pentagon Tour, we MUST receive your registration form by NOVEMBER 28, 2017, including this form for all persons you are registering for the Pentagon Tour (make copies as needed for additional people.) Please fill out, and mail to address below with registration form on previous page. You may instead call in this information to Tracey at the BOBA office: 703-528-4058. DO NOT EMAIL this information, as it puts you at risk for identity theft.

First Name______First Name______Last Name______Last Name______Middle Name (preferred but not required)______Middle Name (preferred but not required)______DOB______DOB______SSN______SSN______Current Residence: City & State______Current Residence: City & State______

First Name______First Name______Last Name______Last Name______Middle Name (preferred but not required)______Middle Name (preferred but not required)______DOB______DOB______SSN______SSN______Current Residence: City & State______Current Residence: City & State______MAIL FORM TO: Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc.; PO Box 27430; Philadelphia PA, 19118-0430 OR CALL IN: 703-528-4058

THE BULGE BUGLE 12 November 2017 BULGE ARTIFACT TO BE FEATURED IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Baghdad in 2003 but helped gain control of several key positions includ- ing Baghdad International Airport before advancing into the city. The historical significance of the Higgins Boat and Renault FT-17 Tank are equally impressive and destined to immerse visitors of all ages in the Army’s history and heritage when the Museum opens its doors in 2019. “The pre-positioning of these four macros while construction is still occurring is impressive and marks another significant milestone toward completion of the Museum project,” said General Gordon R. Sullivan, Army Historical Foundation Chairman heading the $200 million capital campaign to construct the Museum. Sullivan noted that there will be other, equally historically significant macro artifacts displayed throughout the Museum, but only these four re- quired pre-positioning before building the Museum’s walls around them The “Cobra King” Sherman tank being put into position at the future because of their size. site of the National Museum of the United States Army. For more information on the National Museum of the United States Army, go to: armyhistory.org or call: (800) 506-2672. The M4A3E2 Sherman “Jumbo” Tank that helped liberate occupied France during World War II has found a new home at the campus of the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA) now under construction at Fort Belvoir, Va. The Sherman tank, nicknamed “Cobra King” by her first crew, was TOURS the second of four macro artifacts to be pre-positioned early in the con- struction process on reinforced concrete slabs in their permanent display 75th Anniversary of WWII in Europe: locations. The 75th Anniversary Years of World War II in Europe have Once hoisted from flatbeds by crane into their positions, the macros arrived. 2018 will be the 75th Anniversary of 1943, when US were wrapped and sealed in protective containers to protect them from forces first went into combat in Europe. This began the steady the elements until the Museum’s construction is complete. march of events towards America’s greatest ever land battle, “Cobra King” was a variant of the venerable M4 Sherman medium the Battle of the Bulge and the final victory in Europe. De- tank and given the designation M4A3E2. It had an additional 1.5 inches cember 2019 will be of armor mounted on the front of the hull and turret, as well as on the the 75th Anniversary of side, to make it more of a match for the heavier German tanks. While the Battle of the Bulge. most M4A3E2s remained armed with the standard 75mm main gun We hope to plan a com- found on earlier Sherman models, “Cobra King” later mounted a more memoration of the 75th powerful 76mm gun. Only 254 M4A3E2 variants were built, less than anniversary of the Bat- one percent of total Sherman production. tle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxembourg. BOBA will en- Matthew Seelinger, Army Historical Foundation Chief Historian, list the services of an experienced military tour company, who pointed out that “Cobra King” led the 4th Armored Division column that will organize and operate the tour, using our input to create broke through German lines ringing the Belgian town of Bastogne, a the best experience for our Veterans and members and other critical road junction held by the 101st Airborne Division and elements persons interested in the Bulge. of other divisions. ‘“Cobra King’ was part of the 37th Tank Battalion Tours are an excellent opportunity to visit the places where that was led by then-Lieutenant Colonel Creighton W. Abrams, a fu- your father, grandfather, uncle or family friend served in World ture Army Chief of Staff. The breakthrough opened the way for Allied War II. See the battlefields where he fought. Meet the people of forces to begin the counteroffensive that ended the Battle of the Bulge,” the local communities which he liberated. Participate in official Seelinger noted. ceremonies honoring the Veterans. Tours have ‘transformed’ After World War II, the damaged “Cobra King” remained in Ger- many 2nd and 3rd generation people, as they stand in the very many where it was on display at McKee Barracks in Crailsheim. It was place where their loved ones fought. Tours are also the very “rediscovered” in 2004, after which it was finally brought back to the best way for today’s and future generations to forever honor, U.S. for restoration. celebrate and memorialize the Veteran’s military achieve- The Sherman will be exhibited in the Museum’s Global War Gallery. ments, history and heritage. The three remaining macros that were pre-positioned—a M3 Bradley Details will be posted in The Bulge Bugle and on the Fighting Vehicle, a World War II LCVP “Higgins Boat,” and a World website when we have them. Contact information will War I Renault FT-17 Tank—will be featured in the Changing World, be provided with the details. The tour dates will include December 16, 2019. Global War, and Nation Overseas galleries, respectively. According to Seelinger, the 28-ton Bradley not only led the charge to

THE BULGE BUGLE 13 November 2017 CHAPTER NEWS

SC CHAPTER (7) QUARTERLY MEETING

The South Carolina Chapter of BOBA held its quarterly meeting Sep- consequences following the raid, particularly in China. Seated, left to tember 9 at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC. Eleven veterans were pres- right: Joe Watson, David Hubbard, Leif Maseng, Tom Farrington, Jim ent, pictured below, along with our guest speaker, James Scott, au- Hubble, and Walter Hedges. Standing, left to right: Chris Carawan, thor of Target Tokyo. Mr. Scott gave an excellent presentation based Gerald White, Arthur Bonus, Tom Burgess, Vernon Brantley, and guest on this book about the Doolittle Raid, its impact on Japan, and the speaker James Scott. —Submitted by Rick Hurst, SC Chapter President

SE FL CHAPTER (62) INVITES YOU TO THEIR ANNUAL BULGE COMMEMORATION

Later this year, on Sunday December 17th, the Battle of the Bulge As- in the state of Florida. As in the past, an open invitation is extended to sociation Chapter 62 will celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle all returning veterans (from Iraq, Afghanistan or any war), along with of the Bulge at the Airport Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach. George their families. They will be introduced and receive a standing ovation. Fisher, Chapter President and Founder, announced that the group was The Chapter also welcomes any members of the following prestigious both pleased and honored that Director Donna Katen Bahensky of the organizations to attend: Military Order of the Purple Heart, Navy VA Hospital has accepted their invitation to be the Guest Speaker. In League Palm Beach Council, Combat Infantry Association, Jewish addition, Governor Scott will dispatch either Lt Col Glenn Sutphin War Veterans and members of the Korean and Vietnam Chapters. As Executive Director of the Dept of Veteran Affairs) or Lt Col Steven in the past, George expects about 200 to attend this memorable event. Murray (Communications Director) to read and present a proclamation For more information about this event, contact George Fisher: from Tallahassee designating Dec 16th as “Battle of the Bulge Day” 561-585-7086; [email protected]

THE BULGE BUGLE 14 November 2017 CHAPTER NEWS

MD/DC CHAPTER (3) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by John R. Schaffner, 106th Infantry Division

Reprinted from Sep/Oct 2017 issue of alive and well? If you are reading this and are of these gentlemen are well-versed on a very “The Marcher,” the newsletter of Chapter one who does not attend the meetings, it is to wide range of military history. Our Civil War 3, edited by John D. Bowen. We thought that you that I extend the invitation. is a specialty for them. this message would be very relevant to all If you are one who does attend the meet- During our trek around the battlefield, Frank our members, especially regarding meetings ings, and you enjoy the comaraderie, then covered the movements of the Confederates and reunions: why not bring a friend? The lunch is good, and Bob took on the Union forces. Pat and I As I write this today, just after the 16th anni- the company is good, we have entertainment, ended the day with a history lesson that enabled versary of 9/11, a lot goes through my mind. what else can you ask for? I think that it is im- us to understand what can happen when two As Yogi Berra might say, “It is de ja vu, all portant to keep alive the heritage of those who ideologies become so incensed with each other over again.” It is not so much the anniversa- were involved with the largest land battle ever that the only settlement is by force. ry of the attack on the 11th day of September engaged in during any war. The lesson to be learned is to come to a 2001 that dominates my thoughts. It is what I was privileged to be entertaining Patrik peaceable agreement, or else risk destroying has happened here with the loss of two of our Dahlberg, a friend from Sweden, recently. what you have already in hand. One needs revered members of Chapter 3, and several While being a world traveler, Pat had not vis- only to study history. Unfortunately, histo- others of our veterans who no longer attend ited this area. I had not visited many of the ry seems to prove that wars are inevitable our bi-monthly meetings. Both Mike Levin important historical sights here lately myself, between countries and even down to some and Doug Dillard may have left us but their so what better time to do it! One whole day neighborhoods (on a smaller scale). spirits live on. They were regular attendees was spent at Antietam with our own chapter See you Oct 8th at Basta Pasta when Bob and we will miss them. Our ranks are thin- members Frank Armiger and Bob Mullauer. will once again present us with another histo- ning. What can we do to keep the chapter We could not have had better guides. Both ry lesson. Bring a friend.

GATEWAY CHAPTER (25) NEWS Here’s just a couple of their recent activities: • This year Gateway Chapter members par- ticipated in the “America’s Birthday Parade” in downtown St. Louis on July 1, which was attended in person by tens of thousands and viewed on TV by millions more around the country. Then on July, 4 we again took part in the Webster Groves parade, which usually is attended by several thousand spectators. Thanks to Rod Stout again for providing the half-track at each of these events (see photo, right). • The Gateway Chapter will have their annual Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at Royale Orleans. The festivities will begin shortly after the Memorial Service, which will be held indoors at Royale Orle- ans and will start at 10 am. The speaker this Gateway Chapter members rode in the Webster’s Grove, IL 2017 4th of July parade. year will be Dr. Lynnea Magnuson, Director of Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Lou- is. Contact Dave Schroeder (314) 961-7470 WE NEED Your Chapter NEWS! Send to: [email protected]. NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2018 or Pat Mohrmann (314) 645-1239 for more information. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! —Submitted by Don Korte, Please encourage your chapter members to join the national BOBA organization. Gateway Chapter newsletter editor

THE BULGE BUGLE 15 November 2017 Aachen was devastated by infantry assaults and bombings. There NINETEEN FORTY FIVE were only a few large buildings left with roofs but it was here that we by John S. Hurst, PFC, 78th Division, were picked up by personnel from our division. I don’t know how many 310th Regiment, Company F divisions were represented but it had to be several. Anyway a group of us got into G.I. trucks headed for our final destination, the 78th Division. Even though this is titled 1945, the On the way to our destination, there was a collision that affected the first story really begins in 1944. That was three trucks in our convoy. I was in truck #3. One soldier in my truck the year I turned eighteen and so I was hurt when his rifle barrel he had been leaning on went into the roof was required by the Selective Ser- of his mouth. Other than this man, no one was too seriously injured and vice System to register for service in we were on the road again soon. We have kept the angels busy, haven’t the Armed Forces. This was done in we? Finally, somewhere around mid-January, I reported to the executive January 1944 and my thought was officer of Company F, 310th Regiment, 78th Division. that I would be drafted right away. At the time I joined Company F, things were relatively quiet. We But that did not happen, as the Draft were actually at the tail end of The Bulge. That is not to say there was Board sent me a deferment to finish no action. There were reconnaissance patrols and artillery duels all the high school. The angels stepped into time day and night, but only sniper activity as far as small arms fire is my life, for I am sure that had I been concerned. Another job was replenishing ammunition, mostly mortar drafted right away, I probably would shells. These were packed in what was called a cloverleaf, from the way have been on the beach in Normandy it looked from the end. I don’t remember how many shells were in a clo- or maybe even the South Pacific. Who knows? verleaf, but probably six, and it would weigh maybe 50 lbs. They were Graduation came on May 25, 1944 and I was to report to Fort much heavier because of the deep snow we had to fight. One day I was Oglethorpe, Georgia, a few days later for a pre-induction physical. The trying to deliver some of these to our supply point and as I passed beside final result was that after some time back home to wind things up (what a wall, sniper bullets hit the wall over my head. Angels? did I have to wind up?), I raised my right hand on July 18, 1944 and Another misery we had to endure was the buzz bombs. These were swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and became a conceived by some diabolical German and they consisted of a winged member of the “Queen of Battle,” the infantry of the U.S. Army. bomb with a small engine on top that would just suddenly cut off causing From Fort Oglethorpe we were sent to Camp Blanding, Florida, the bomb to fall at no particular target. That’s what made them so devil- for seventeen weeks of basic training. This went well and when it was ish. You could hear them coming (sounding much like a Model T Ford) over my weight had gone from 195 lbs. to 175 lbs. and I was in good and you never knew where they would fall. Our worst enemy was the condition. weather. The snow was very deep and the temperature was below zero Camp Blanding was terribly hot in those months of 1944 and so we by quite a bit. At one point I heard that it was minus 20 degrees F. presumed that we were headed for the South Pacific. But no, the Army It’s impossible to describe the miserable conditions during these had need of us in Europe, where the Germans had broken through the Al- times. Once we started to move around the first of February, it was only lied lines in December and created what became known as “The Bulge,” worse because supply lines lengthened and we had little to eat at times a situation in which many men on both sides paid the final price of war. and our clothing just could not keep us warm. Foxholes were relatively After a ten-day delay-en-route home, I reported to Fort George Meade, warm because the wind did not hit you square in the face. Sure, you Maryland, on December 10, 1944, then on to Fort Dix, New Jersey, the could work up a real sweat climbing the hills and fighting the snow and port of embarkation. cold, but you paid for it when you rested. We just could not get warm January 1, 1945 a shipload of G.I’s on the unescorted Queen Mary and stay warm. Death, injury and destruction were everywhere; people said our goodbyes to the Statue of Liberty. We sailed the North Atlantic wounded or killed. Just a terrible scene to witness. I’ll never forget it. route on a zigzag course to confuse the German submarine command- To compound everything else, we were all essentially boys in a for- ers. About midway of the five day trip there was a submarine scare, but eign country and even though you have comrades, you are alone. What it turned out to be a false alarm. There were some very tense moments kept us going was the hope that all of this would be over soon and we when we thought the life preservers would be put to use. The angels could go home and be ourselves again, instead of being soldiers inflict- stepped in again. ing pain and suffering on others. I know that enemy soldiers must have We landed in Prestwick, Scotland, the homeport of the Queen Mary, shared these same thoughts. They didn’t want to be there either, and and were put on trains bound for Southampton, England. The Scottish some of them looked even younger than we did. and English countryside are really beautiful, even from the window of By this time, late February, the big push across Germany had begun a troop train. At Southampton we embarked on Landing Craft Infantry in earnest, but I was not to be a part of it. I had become feverish and sick, Navy vessels to take us across the English Channel. LeHavre, France, and my hands and feet were beyond feeling. The medics sent me to the was our destination and it can be said for sure that the channel is one of Aid Station where they diagnosed frostbite and pneumonia. Subsequent- the choppiest bodies of water on this planet. But, if you are packed in like ly, I was evacuated to the Field Hospital in Liege, Belgium. After about sardines as we were an overnight trip is not too bad. a week we were flown to London, England, but on the way we ran into LaHavre was victim of Allied bombing and destruction was thor- a hailstorm and had to put down in a town named Margate, England. ough, at least the harbor area. Again, we boarded a troop train, this time C-47’s can’t stand this kind of weather and the pilot considered the fact bound for Aachen, Germany. Along the way our train was hit from the that we were all litter patients. Therefore, we put down. The civilian hos- rear by another train and our last three cars were badly damaged. No one pital where we stayed a couple of days was a quaint place and the people was seriously hurt though, and after several hours we were underway were so nice. More angels? again. Once again the angels took over. We were moved via ambulance to an Army General Hospital outside

THE BULGE BUGLE 16 November 2017 London where I stayed until about mid-March. The Army doctors decid- became engaged May 28, 1946, and we married August 26, that same ed I was to be sent back to the United States and so, strapped to litters year. See what I mean about angels? again, we were put on a C-54 cargo plane and flown by way of Iceland John S. Hurst to New York. Once again the angels interceded, because we had to make February 6, 1996 two passes at the airport in Iceland, and on the final approach, we kicked Postscript: Dad never spoke about his time in service when my siblings up a little snow with our left wing! From Iceland it was a piece of cake and I were growing up. When I was about ten, not knowing any bet- to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever ter, I asked him, “Dad, did you ever shoot anybody?” He paused a few seen was two rows of blue lights on the runway there. seconds and said, “I don’t know,” which is probably the best answer he We refueled and then on to New York where the telephone company could have given. I can still remember the look on his face. As an adult, I let us call home from the hospital free of charge. Next day we headed for asked him to write down his story for the sake of his grandchildren. The Greensboro, North Carolina, and the Camp Butner Convalescent Hospi- above story, dictated to our Mom who typed it, was the result. PFC John tal from which I was discharged on August 10, 1945. It was during this S. Hurst passed away October 5, 1997. hospital stay that I was given a 30-day furlough from May 10 to June —Submitted by Rick Hurst, Member, proud son of our Dad, 10. On this furlough I met my life partner, Nena, on May 18, 1945. We a member of the Greatest Generation.

BOBA MEMBER FRANCIS CHESKO HONORED

On September 17th, 2017 in Gettysburg, PA,, Sgt Francis Chesko, Battle of the Bulge Veteran, was honored by the members of Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (AM) Vietnam 1965-1971. Francis was the honored guest of Patrick and Carol Bieneman, BOBA Member. Colonel Ed Gruetzenmacher, Retired, presented Francis with a Cer- tificate that read: Francis entered the Army in February 1943. After his advanced training, he was shipped off to England. From England, Francis landed on Utah Beach on June 7, 1944 as part of the 148th Combat Engineer Battalion. On July 19, 1944, Francis was wounded and returned to En- gland to mend. Returning to the war, Francis was assigned to the 7th Armored Division in Holland. Here Francis narrowly missed being wounded again when an 88mm mortar shell landed above his bunker but did not detonate. Francis’s unit was dug in at the town of St. Vith, Belgium when the Francis Chesko (center, white hat) at the WWII Memorial ceremony. Battle of the Bulge broke out. The Germans attacked on December 17, 1944. His division was told to hold it’s position for three days, They held Korean Memorial, prior to going to Union Station for lunch. it for five. Francis said for Christmas Eve all his unit had to eat was After lunch, we returned to the WWII Memorial. Led by Boy Scouts, snow. we proceeded to the Pacific side, Battle of the Bulge location. Behind After the Battle of the Bulge, Francis’s unit helped build the longest the Boy Scouts were Troopers carrying a red, white and blue spray with bridge of the war. It totaled 1,300 feet over the Rhine River. a ribbon emblazoned with “The Greatest Generation.” Colonel R. Gene As Francis and his unit pushed into Germany, they helped liberate Smith (Retired) read the following: 1,200 American Prisoners. We are here today to honor the Men and Women of the United States During the war, Francis was not the only Chesko to serve. Three of Armed Forces who served during WWII, the men and women who are his brothers served as well. They were all were wounded but all came called the ‘Greatest Generation’. We are honored to have with us today, home. Sgt Francis Chesko, one of the Greatest Generation. God Bless Francis Chesko, One of our “True American Heroes.” God Bless Francis Chesko, one of our “True American Heroes.” Carol Bieneman then presented to Francis a Hummel Figurine, “The In your honor, Francis, we place this spray as a memento of our Soldier Boy,” with a brass plate that reads: appreciation for the sacrifices that you—and all other members of the Sgt Francis Chesko, A Proud Member of the Greatest Generation Armed Forces—gave, in order to secure our freedoms. and a Proud WWII Veteran Then Colonel Smith called all Troopers to attention, and gave the or- Charlie Troop 1/9th Cavalry ders “Present Arms” and “Order Arms.” Thanks you for Our Freedoms Sgt Chesko was presented a certificate and coin from the Boy Scouts At this time, Col Gruetzemacher called all Charlie Troopers to atten- of Troop 128 Smith Station, Alabama, who are our “Little Brothers.” tion and gave the orders to “Present Arms” and “Order Arms.” Jack McKibben presented Sgt Chesko with a patch from his Regional On the 18th of September, Sgt Chesko accompanied Charlie Troop Boy Scout Council. Everyone came up to shake Francis’s hand, and his to Washington DC. There we placed a wreath and Cavalry yellow roses picture was taken with many Troopers, guests and bystanders. at the Vietnam Memorial Wall for 117 Troopers. We then viewed the —Submitted by Patrick Bieneman

THE BULGE BUGLE 17 November 2017 The United States Congress adopted a resolution on June 4, 1926, DONATIONS requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue annual proclamations calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. Thank you to the following members and donors A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved who made contributions between June 25-September 30, 2017: May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: Amor, Louisa P Member “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.” Bailey, James 106 INFD 422 REG 3 BN CO F In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Baran, Stanley 296 ENGR CMBT BN CO B Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, Berlin, George 75 INFD 291 REG 2 BN HQ CO not just those who died in World War I. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Bruno, Duane R Member Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. C-47 Club Donor (IMO Doug Dillard) Weeks led the first national celebration in 1947 in Alabama and annually DeLaughder, Michael L Member until his death in 1985. President Reagan honored Weeks at the White Edquist, Glen 44 INFD 156 FA BN House with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 as the driving Elliott, Jr., Richard 90 INFD 357 REG 1 BN C CO force for the national holiday. Elizabeth Dole, who prepared the brief- Field, A Wayne 6 ARMDD 86 CAV RECON SQD ing for President Reagan, determined Weeks as the “Father of Veterans Klopp, Sherry Member Day.” Locker, Irving 116 AAA GUN BN BTRY B U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill Marcheschi, Luigi 423 MED COLLECT CO establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisen- (IMO Mario J. Marcheschi, hower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. It Combat Medic KIA) had been eight and a half years since Weeks held his first Armistice Day Marshall, Thea Member celebration for all veterans. Miller-Aetna Group Donors Congress amended the bill on June 1, 1954, replacing “Armistice” (IMO Phillip J. Dukes, with “Veterans,” and it has been known as Veterans Day since. 12 ARMDD 17 REG BN CO C) The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954. Congressman Parker Sr, Geoffrey K 75 INFD 75 CAV RECON TP Rees of Kansas received the first National Veterans Award in Birming- Parker, Sonya Donor ham, Alabama, for his support offering legislation to make Veterans Day (IMO Harry E. Kirby, a federal holiday. 26 INFD 104 REG 3 BN CO I) Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of Serva, Casimer 87 INFD 346 REG 3 BN every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Warm, Samuel 4 ARMDD DIV, HQ CO Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October (Oct 25, 1971; Oct 23, 1972; Oct 22, 1973; Oct 28, 1974; Oct 27, 1975; Oct 25, 1976 and Oct 24, 1977). In 1978, it was moved back to its orig- inal celebration on November 11. While the legal holiday remains on November 11, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then HISTORY OF organizations that formally observe the holiday will normally be closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively. VETERANS DAY Because it is a federal holiday, some American workers and many students have Veterans Day off from work or school. When Veterans Veterans Day is an official United Day falls on a Saturday then either Saturday or the preceding Friday may States public holiday, observed be designated as the holiday, whereas if it falls on a Sunday it is typical- annually on November 11, that ly observed on the following Monday. A Society for Human Resource honors military veterans; that is, Management poll in 2010 found that 21 percent of employers planned to persons who served in the United observe the holiday in 2011. States Armed Forces. It coincides Non-essential federal government offices are closed. No mail is de- with other holidays, including Ar- livered. All federal workers are paid for the holiday; those who are re- mistice Day and Remembrance quired to work on the holiday sometimes receive holiday pay for that day Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end in addition to their wages. of World War I; major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at In his Armistice Day address to Congress, Wilson was sensitive to the the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Ar- psychological toll of the lean War years: “Hunger does not breed reform; mistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously it breeds madness,” he remarked. As Veterans Day and the birthday of observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day the United States Marine Corps (November 10, 1775) are only one day in 1954. apart, that branch of the Armed Forces customarily observes both occa- Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, a U.S. public sions as a 96-hour liberty period. holiday in May; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military Several commentators have noted that Election Day is a regular veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military working day, while Veterans Day, which typically falls the following service. It is also not to be confused with Armed Forces Day, a minor week, is a federal holiday. Some people have called for the holidays to be U.S. remembrance that also occurs in May, which specifically honors merged, so citizens can have a day off to vote. They state this as a way to those currently serving in the U.S. military. honor voting by exercising democratic rights. —Source: Wikipedia

THE BULGE BUGLE 18 November 2017 BUY THE VBOB BOOK OF YOUR STORIES Now available for $34.99 JAMES BINDER, 661st TANK Barnes & Noble bookstores: Place an order with DESTROYER BATTALION ISBN and title ISBN: 978-0-9910962-3-7 Title: The Battle of the Bulge: True Stories From the James Binder was inducted into the US Army Men and Women Who Survived from Walnutport, PA on April 17th, 1943 at 18. Online: Amazon: www.amazon.com; Barnes & Noble: His four brothers, and even his sister-in -law, www.barnesandnoble.com also served in the military during WWII, and all returned home safely. James trained to be a combat medic and medical records clerk. He was attached to the 661st Tank Destroyer Battalion, part of the 69th A FORGOTTEN PASSWORD Infantry Division, where he eventually rose to AND A FROZEN ARM the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim and his unit of aid men took care of 780 men while overseas. My father, Robert Eric Ornberg, passed away He and over 5,000 other men boarded a ship for a long 23 day trip on July 14, 2016 at the age of 92. He was in the to Europe, avoiding German U boats all the way across the Atlantic. 14th Cavalry Group, Mechanized. The 14th The 661st Tank Destroyer Battalion began its tour of duty in Le Havre, Cavalry consisted of two squadrons: the 18th France. While in Le Havre, his battalion came across a pack of wild rab- and 32nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squad- bits. Some of the men in his unit picked up one of the rabbits and placed rons. He was a radio operator and 50-caliber it on their tank destroyer. It became their unit pet and stayed with the men machine gunner assigned to an armored car in across Europe and through all the combat. They even named the furry the Headquarters Troop. During the war, the pet “Uncle Buck.” ( When the unit was to return back to the States, Uncle 14th Cavalry was attached at different times to Buck was returned home, too—back to the fields of France.) the: 2nd Infantry Division, 83rd Infantry Di- After two weeks of training on the coast of Normandy, the unit began vision, 106th Infantry Division, 7th Armored a march of over 350 miles through rain and driving snow. After relieving Robert E. Ornberg, Division, XVIII Airborne Corp, 1st Infantry the men of the 99th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge, they con- 14th Cavalry Group, Division, 1st U.S. Army, and 3rd U.S. Army. Mechanized tinued on into the town of Bulligen, Belgium. His unit fought through the The 14th Cavalry embarked from New town of Bulligen, and advanced up to and through the Siegfried Line and York on the ship Queen Elizabeth on August 28, 1944. The Queen Eliz- into Germany. crossing the Rhine River on March 27th, 1945. They were abeth, they were told, was “faster than the German submarines.” They one of the first units to cross the famous Remagen Bridge on that date. disembarked at Glasgow, Scotland and were then transported by train The Battalion as a whole fought its most intense engagement on April through the beautiful Scottish countryside and on to England, where 17th, 1945 in the city of Leipzig, well known for its resistance during the they saw the bomb-shattered and rubble-strewn streets of the English battles of the Napoleonic wars in the eighteenth century. They played a cities; their first view of war-torn Europe. They stayed in Southampton, crucial role in the surrender of the City Hall, the railroad terminal and the England. Battle of the Nations Monument. This is where the unit was to see their They left from Weymouth, England to cross the English Channel on last fighting of the war. a landing ship tank (LST) with their armored cars and landed at Omaha James and his unit also were recognized as the first Allied unit to meet Beach, Normandy, France on September 27, 1944, almost four months up with the Russian 58th Guard of the Soviet Army at the Elbe River in after D-Day. Everywhere on the beach there were signs of the heavy toll Torgau, Germany on April 25th, 1945. This linkup commonly referred to that had been paid to gain this foothold on the continent – hulls of ships, as the day when “East meets West.” beached and sunken landing craft, blackened tanks and trucks, some As of April 25th, 1945, the Battalion had taken 727 prisoners, de- half-submerged, and above the cliffs were cemeteries with thousands of stroyed or neutralized over 120 pieces of artillery, and numerous ma- small white crosses. chine gun nests. By the time the war was over, the 661st had marched They drove on through the battered hedgerow country of Normandy across the countries of Western Europe for over 1,200 miles. to Paris and stayed there for a few days on the way to Verdun. At Verdun, Sgt. Binder’s date of separation from active duty was officially on The 14th Cavalry squadrons split up and the Headquarters Troop moved February 4th, 1946. He received an honorable discharge and was award- to Ettelbruck, Luxembourg for about a month. In Luxembourg, they ed the American Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal, and were stationed as the Command Headquarters Troop and quartered in a the European African Middle eastern medal with 2 Bronze Stars. beautiful Catholic convent. Bob said “the nuns were like mothers to us.” His units, the 661st Tank Destroyer Battalion and the 69th Infantry On December 12, 1944, they moved to Manderfeld, Belgium, a com- Division still holds an annual reunion—this year held in Virginia Beach paratively quiet sector guarding the Losheim Gap – the gateway to the and attended by his daughter, Meta, BOBA Member. Jim Binder passed Ardennes region of Belgium. Bob received some Christmas packages away June 8th, 2015 in Bethlehem, PA and is fondly remembered by all from family and friends back home. On December 16th, the Germans his friends in the BOBA Lehigh Valley Chapter. launched their Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge) with an explo- —Submitted by Stephen Savage, Member sive artillery and rocket barrage at 0630 hours. Bob recalled, “The morn- ing of the Bulge I had been on radio duty for four hours and I remember VBOB VIDEOS­: Watch Bulge veterans tell their battle sitting in this open armored car and I was so terribly cold. I was wear- stories at: battleofthebulge.org. Click on “Veterans’ Video Stories.” ing every piece of clothing I could get on, waiting for radio messages. I (continued on next page)

THE BULGE BUGLE 19 November 2017 FORGOTTEN PASSWORD (continued) my bayonet scabbard got stuck and I couldn’t get out. When I did get free remember looking out down the slope and there were German soldiers I looked out of the truck and Jim Ferris and the Master Sergeant were dressed in white, coming up the slope.” The Germans wore white parkas gone. I saw a jeep racing by loaded down with Jim, the Master Sergeant, for camouflage in the heavy snow. “The next thing I remember is that I and several other soldiers. They slowed down a little and told me to hurry was replaced in the armored car and assigned to a 2 ½ ton radio truck up and jump in. I was hanging on to the back of the jeep standing on the with a 50-caliber machine gun turret. Then a Lieutenant came along and back bumper as we drove off with the Germans not far behind.” told me I had five minutes to get my duffel bag because we were leaving Shortly after Christmas Day, orders were received to pull back to in a hurry.” Those Christmas presents got left behind in the rush. He Villers L’Eveque, northwest of Liege, Belgium. About half of the 18th found out later in the day that “the soldier they replaced me with on the Squadron of the 14th Cavalry Group had either been killed or captured. recon car was killed when an 88 shell landed right next to the car and the They regrouped and got reinforced and refitted with replacement troops shrapnel went through his side.” and weapons before going back into the battle. In a letter to his parents, dated January 1st, 1945, Bob wrote “Two Bob remembered clearly the first day that the fog finally gave way to days after the Bulge started, the Jerries caught up with us. Well, they blue skies since the Bulge started and remembers, “They could see huge started shelling the town. I was put on a radio and Faris was put on the formations of bombers flying overhead…and everyone was cheering!” other. I didn’t like it much, shells were hitting the C.P. across the street, On January 24th, 1945, the 14th Cavalry moved back into the Bulge a German machine gun was rattling down the street. Most of the outfits and fought the enemy all the way back to their original position in the around were taking off down the road to the next town and soon, to my Siegfried Line. consternation there was no one in sight. My communications chief and I From February 7th until the 27th, they were encamped in the dark went across the street behind the C.P. and officers and troops were dash- and muddy Hurtgen Forest along the Roer River. Bob recalled that “It ing out of town, under fire, in anything that would move. I saw one jeep was very cold –the coldest winter in Germany in many years.” He got almost get hit, when a shell landed about five yards in front of it, the jeep frostbite in his right big toe. He said, “We set up headquarters in a little jumped up in the air came down and kept on going.” shack with a fireplace. We were gathering firewood. Barney Barnhart A few days later his troop was made into three platoons of infantry came in with an armload of fire wood. He brought it over to the wood to fill in a gap. They spent three days and nights in foxholes. In his let- stove and dumped it on the floor. It turned out that one of the pieces of ter home he said he gained “an appreciation for the hardships they (the firewood was the frozen arm of a German soldier, from the elbow to the infantry) go through.” A shell landed nearby and some of the shrapnel hand, and the hand was still intact.” from the bomb ripped through his jacket into his shoulder and seriously They pushed on to the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, the only injured four other soldiers. The hole in his jacket was rather large, so he remaining bridge across the Rhine River. After the Allies captured the was sent to the back of the lines to an ambulance. It turned out that the bridge, the Germans tried to destroy it to keep the Americans from cross- wound was not as large as the hole in his jacket. The medic put sulfur ing the river. The 14th Cavalry was assigned to guard the bridge area in his wound and dressed it. He was then used to help carry wounded from water, air, and sabotage attacks. soldiers on stretchers to the ambulance. He received a purple heart for After crossing the Rhine, it was on through Germany. The 14th Cav- the injury. alry went into the Ruhr Pocket, providing communications, and helping Later, they ended up at a cross roads where they were told to do a rear- with the capturing of thousands of enemy troops. guard action to allow units to retreat through a town. Bob recalled that On their advance through Germany, they commandeered an undam- “Tim McCoy, a driver, and I were sent out to set up a position on a coun- aged house, and lit up a water heater. “We all got showers for the first try road near a farmhouse in our armored car. One U.S. armored compa- time in weeks. It felt so good!” Once, when Jim Williamson and Bob ny had been caught in a little valley and almost wiped out. They had to had been out on patrol, they came back and stopped by the kitchen. The abandon their vehicles and they were walking out. Our task was to meet Sergeant said “how would you like to have some fresh eggs?” A truck them by this farmhouse and tell them to continue down the road, where full of eggs had come through town too fast and rolled over and they got trucks would be waiting for them to give them safe passage. When they a case of eggs. After only having powdered eggs for months, Bob ate a came up the road from the valley, there was a sergeant leading them. dozen fried eggs that night. They were walking wounded, some of them with bandages around their Starting on April 18, 1945, the 14th Cavalry charged 250 miles from heads and eyes, being led by others.” There had been Germans mas- the Ruhr District to Furth near Nuremberg (Nurnberg), Germany in three querading as Americans in U.S. Army uniforms during the Battle of the days. Bob remembered going by airfields with bombed out German Bulge. So, the sergeant pointed his carbine at Bob’s belly and said “You planes. He recalled that Nuremburg was heavily damaged and in piles of may be alright, but what’s the password?” Bob hadn’t been given the rubble. They continued on across the Danube River and stopped on the password that day. Tim didn’t know it either. The driver didn’t know it banks of the Inn River at the Austrian border just prior to VE Day. either. So, the sergeant said “who won the big game last night between After the war was over Bob was on occupation duty in Germany for a Cleveland and New York?” Bob knew who won the game and even the couple months. When Bob finally got to leave Germany, they made their final score, and lived to see another day. way back to Southampton, England, and boarded the aircraft carrier USS Once, while in the 2 ½ ton radio truck they were told to abandon the Wasp CV-18 on December 27, 1945. truck. Jim Ferris, the Master Sergeant in charge of communications, and “What a sight it was, to see the Statue of Liberty as it came into view,” Bob all took the code machines out of the truck and destroyed them in a Bob remembered, as he arrived in NY. little building next to the truck. Bob was handing the code machines out As a member of the Greatest Generation, Bob answered the call to of the truck down to them. He had to be careful because there was a Ger- duty, did his part to help save the world, came home wanting nothing man sniper about a block away in a building, looking out of a second-sto- more than to get back to a normal life, and in the end lived quite an ry window. Three code machines had fallen behind a cabinet in the truck. extraordinary life. Bob recalled “I was up over the cabinet reaching down to get them and —Submitted by his proud son, Eric Ornberg, Member

THE BULGE BUGLE 20 November 2017 SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR VETERANS! Buy 1, Get 2nd Copy Free! 2 for $15 THE VBOB CERTIFICATE: Have you ordered yours?

The Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. is proud to offer this full color 11” by 17” certificate, as a legacy item for any veteran who received credit for the Ardennes campaign. It attests that the veteran partic- ipated, endured and survived the largest land battle ever fought by the US Army. (There is also a version worded for those who were killed in action or died of their wounds. Be sure to check the appropriate box on the form.) If you haven’t ordered yours, then you might want to consider ordering one to give to your grandchildren. They are generally most appreciative of your service, and the certificate makes an excellent gift—also for that buddy with whom you served in the Bulge. You do not have to be a member of BOBA to order one, but the veteran must have received the Ardennes credit. This beautiful certificate is produced on parchment-like stock and is outlined by the full color World War II insignias of the major units that fought in the Battle of the Bulge, starting with the 12th Army group, then followed numerically with Armies, Corps and Divisions and the two Army Air Forces. We wish that each unit insignia could have been shown, but with approximately 2000 units that participated in the Bulge, it is impossible. However, any unit that served in the Bulge would have been attached to or reported through one of the unit insig- nia depicted. You may want to add one of the veteran’s original patches to the certificate when you receive it. Please allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. The certificate will be shipped rolled in a protective mailing box. Please be sure that you write the name, service number and unit as you would like it to appear on the certificate.The unit name should be as complete as possible, because you want someone reading it to understand what unit the veteran was in. We will abbreviate it as necessary. It is important that you type or print this information and the unit must be one of the 2,000 units authorized for the Ardennes Campaign credit that is in the Official General Order No. 114 for units entitled to the Ardennes Battle Credit and will be the basis for sale of the certificate. The cost of the 2 certificates is $15 postpaid. SPECIAL OFFER: Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Certificate Order Blank 2 for $15! I request an 11” by 17” certificate and certify the veteran named below received credit for the Ardennes campaign. I have enclosed a check for $15 for the certificate. Please include the following information on the certificate:

First Name Middle Initial Last Name 

Serial Number Rank Unit

Organization (usually Company, Battalion and/or Regiment and/or Division) Please check one if applies: ❏ Killed in Action ❏ Died of Wounds

Signature Date

Mailing Information: (SPECIAL PRICE SHIPS TO 1 MAILING ADDRESS ONLY)

Name Address

City State Zip Code

Telephone number E-mail address

BOBA member: ❏ yes ❏ no (membership not a requirement) Make checks payable to BOBA, Inc. for $15. Orders should be mailed to: BOBA, Inc., PO Box 27430, Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430 Questions? Call 703-528-4058 OR ORDER ONLINE: WWW.BATTLEOFTHEBULGE.ORG [NO PHONE ORDERS] THE BULGE BUGLE 21 November 2017 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Battle-of-the-Bulge-Association-Inc VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.battleofthebulge.org

SOUVENIR HUNTING CAN BE UNHEALTHY FOR ONE’S BODY! by William “Bill” Armstrong, Service Battery, 263rd Field Artillery Battalion, 26th “Yankee” Division

My Division, 26th “Yankee” Division, part of General Patton’s Third the Germans bobby-trapped such bodies so Bob set off to get some wire Army, had arrived at the city of Metz, France December 15th, 1944, and from a near-by fence to use to turn the body over from a distance. He had was informed that we were to “rest” for the winter. Severe cold weather taken but a few steps when I yelled, “Stop! Oh my God, we’re in a mine and storms were predicted for the area and neither side, German and US, field!” I glanced down and saw the partially exposed fins of a “Bouncing would be able to function properly. This news (about getting rest) was Betty” just a few inches from my feet! (A Bouncing Betty is a mine that welcomed by all. However, the following day, the 16th, brought news when it is triggered, the mine launches into the air and detonates at a that something had happened up North. height of about 3 feet. The explosion projects a lethal spray of shrapnel My partner, Bob Zellmer, co-driver of our ammunition truck, and I in all directions.) I looked around and it was obvious that these were the had turned our ammunition truck over to Battalion Maintenance for bad- injuries suffered our boys whose bodies were everywhere. What were ly needed service but when orders arrived directing the Battalion to pre- we to do? I felt very sick to my stomach. I wanted to sit down but where? pare to move out, the mechanics had little time to put the wheels back on Bob was looking at me and his face was white as a sheet. We were in a and get the many vehicles of the Batteries operable. December fix with no way out except to take a step, and then another, and 20 came and we had orders to “Move out” but move where? another, but to expect at any moment the blast and certain death. The response was “north ‘til we meet up with the Germans!” I don’t know how long we stood there. I started to shake, There had been a massive assault on our troops in Luxem- as did Bob, when we heard voices from the cart path and then bourg and Belgium. None of us believed that the Germans had three soldiers appeared (who happened to be from Graves the power to assault anybody because, in our minds, they were Registration). The guy in the lead had a mine detector which almost whipped. So it was with the attitude “It won’t take long he swept back and forth and when he’d hear a signal that he’d to clean up this mess” that Bob and I joined the line of vehicles located a mine, the second guy behind him would hand a little and set out for “North.” flag on a stiff wire and place it at the site of the mine. They were so fo- Bob had driven for just a short while when he remarked that some- cused on the mines that they didn’t see us until one of them looked up thing was wrong with the truck and asked me to look back on my side. and exclaimed, “My God! Don’t you guys know you are in the middle of Stepping out onto the running board I saw the rear dual wheels had come a mine field?” I replied, “Yes we do, sir and I’m almost standing on one!” free and the axle was slipping out and in, out and in! We were going They decided that there were so many mines around that they were going down a slight grade so Bob, knowing that he dared not to touch the brake to have to call in the Engineers in order to retrieve all the soldiers’ bodies. pedal, allowed the truck to coast until it came to a stop on the slight up All the while Bob and I were hoping they would do something to help us. grade, and applied the hand brake. We waited for our Commanding The one guy with the detector finally went to Bob and told him to follow Officer (CO) (who was at the end of our column) to arrive to tell him him and step where he stepped. And then he came over to me and guided of our problem. He said he would have Battalion Maintenance come both of us to the crest of the hill back to our truck. back when the Battery had reached its destination. When the traffic had When we looked back and saw the cart track, I almost wet my cleared, Bob used the hand brake as needed, let the truck coast back to pants!!! There were quite a number of little flags planted in both tracks! the low point of the road, and turned off the engine and we began a three- We realized we had stepped over the mines without being aware of our day wait for the mechanic. own danger! We hadn’t returned to our truck very long when two of Sitting in the truck soon became boring so we got out to view the our fighter pilots from a nearby air field rode up on bicycles and asked surrounding area. In a valley across the road were a number of burnt out if we knew of any place they could search for souvenirs. I said “no and tanks, apparently the result of a battle. Also across the road was a cart don’t go off the road, there are mines everywhere!” and I pointed to the track that ascended a rise to disappear over the crest. I remarked that little flags. Despite hearing that, they turned and rode onto the same cart maybe there might be something of interest, perhaps souvenirs like a track, turned to ride down to the tanks and in the very direction I warned luger pistol up there. Bob replied that it wouldn’t hurt to go see and we them not to go. Low and behold one of them hit a mine! I saw both set out, I in one cart track and Bob in the other. The possibility that the his body and his bike lofted into the air. His buddy came running back path might have mines buried in it never crossed our minds. calling us to see if we could help his friend. I told him “no way!” and Cresting the rise we saw a terrible sight. The bodies of our troops that he should get someone else from the air base he came from. What a were scattered all over the up slope! At the crest were the machine guns senseless death! and dead Germans, some partially buried by dirt that artillery fire had Three days later, one of the mechanics arrived, put the wheel back thrown on them. Off to the left we saw the body of a German officer properly and we followed him north to the fogs, snow, and the misery of and Bob said he bet that there would be a luger pistol on it. We knew the coldest winter in 200 years.

THE BULGE BUGLE 22 November 2017 QM MERCHANDISE • NOVEMBER 2017 IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to our name change to BOBA, we are offering all remaining VBOB merchandise at the discounted prices shown below. IF YOU DON’T SEE IT HERE, IT IS NOW SOLD OUT! We cannot process old QM order forms from previous issues. Please ship the selected items to:

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THE BULGE BUGLE 23 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #129 19464

BATTLE of the BULGE ASSOCIATION

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CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Annual Bulge Commemoration METRO DC ★ DEC 13 - 15, 2017 NOVEMBER 2017 See pages 10 - 12 for full registration information.

Membership Application: Detach and mail ✂ Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc. YOU CAN JOIN OR RENEW ONLINE: PO Box 27430 WWW.BATTLEOFTHEBULGE.ORG Philadelphia PA,19118-0430 Click on “Join BOBA/Renew”

Veteran membership is for those who have received the Ardennes campaign credit. Membership is for relatives, historians or others with an interest in preserving the memory of the Battle of the Bulge. Both have the same rights and privileges. NOTE: Memberships now $20 per year. ❏ Yearly Membership: $20 x _____ years = $______❏ Donation: $______Sign up a friend! Memberships are a great gift! Name ______DOB ______Address ______City______State ______Zip+4 ______Telephone ______E-mail ______If applying as a Veteran member (you are a Battle of the Bulge vet), please provide the following information about yourself: Campaigns ______Unit(s) to which assigned during the period 16 Dec 1944 to 25 Jan 1945: Division ______Regiment ______Battalion ______Company ______Other ______If applying as an Member, please provide the following information about yourself: Relationship to the Bulge Veteran (if any)______❏ Historian ❏ Other (wife, son, daughter, niece, etc. or N/A ) The Bulge Vet’s Name and Units______Applicant’s Signature______Date______

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